Here’s How Painting: 29 Projects with Paint

28. Pickled Paint

Pickling is a simple effect created by painting the piece with watered-down paint and then removing the excess. The most important thing to remember when using this technique is to work quickly—the paint must still be wet as you wipe it away.

Pieces made of pine are good choices for this technique. Because it’s very porous, pine absorbs the paint quickly, and plenty of color is left after the excess has been wiped away. Other softwoods will also work, but pieces made of hardwoods, such as oak, aren’t good candidates for a pickled finish.

Tools & Materials

Cordless screwdriver

Fine-grit sandpaper

Tack cloth

2" small natural sponge

Thick white cotton rag

Flat-finish interior latex paint

One quart of water

Satin-finish polyurethane spray

How to Create a Pickled Finish

Remove drawers from dressers and upholstered seats from chairs. If the piece has hardware, carefully remove it.

Combine one part of paint with three parts of water. Stir the mixture thoroughly.

Paint the paint-and-water mixture onto the piece, using a small sponge. Follow the grain of the wood as you paint, and try to avoid drips and runs. If the piece is large, divide it into sections and complete one section before painting another.

Using a thick cotton rag, wipe excess paint off the piece. Work quickly, because the paint must be wet in order to be successfully removed.

Spray on a light coat of polyurethane finish and let it dry for an hour. Apply a second coat and let the piece dry overnight.

Replace the upholstered seat or hardware.

Pickling Variation

For pieces made of hardwoods or to create a more traditional look for a formal room, you can achieve a pickled effect with stain rather than paint. Select a water-based stain in a color of your choice.

Prepare the piece by removing any hardware and sanding the surface lightly (see page 91). Combine one part of stain with three parts of water and stir thoroughly.

Use a small sponge brush to apply the stain-water mixture, following the grain of the wood. While the mixture is still wet, wipe away any excess. Allow the piece to dry, then apply two coats of polyurethane spray (see pages 91 to 92). When the polyurethane is dry, replace the hardware as necessary.